Stormers back newly acquired 4G smarts ahead of Belfast test against Ulster

The Stormers are heading to Belfast with a new blueprint for the 4G pitch. After learning the hard way last season, Rito Hlungwani’s men have done the work at home to ensure they stay number one in the URC. Photo: Backpagepix The Stormersbelieve theirgrowing familiarity with artificial surfaces could prove decisive when they face Ulster in Friday night’s United Rugby Championshipclash in Belfast (8.45pm kick-off).

Forwards coachRito Hlungwanimade it clear that lessons from previous tours have shaped a far more calculated approach to playing on a4Gpitch – a surface that has historically posed challenges forSouth Africanteams. Last season’s trip to Belfast offered a steep learning curve. TheStormersspent several days training on the synthetic surface, only to find that it took a toll on the players’ bodies.

“We didn’t spend a lot of time training on it firstly, and then when we did, the boys took quite long to recover,”Hlungwaniexplained. “That’s one of the reasons why we’ve decided to do most of our preparation at home this time.” Instead of adapting on arrival, theStormershave front-loaded their work during a bye week, ensuring they hit the ground running when they land inNorthern Ireland. It’s a strategy built on both physical management and a deeper understanding of how the surface changes the game.

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The differences are subtle but significant. The4Gpitch is quicker, the ball movement less predictable, and momentum in contact situations amplified,Hlungwanirevealed in aStormersmedia conference on Monday afternoon. “It’s a really fast pitch.

The ball bobbles a lot and keeps rolling, so you can’t rely on it going dead,” he said. “The momentum you get from carries is different, so your body height has to be right. The same applies to tackling … those small details become very important.” Those details, he believes, could be the difference in what has historically been a tightly contested fixture.

Recent meetings between theStormersandUlsterhave been decided by narrow margins, andHlungwaniexpects more of the same. However, he feels theStormersnow hold a key advantage: experience. “I think the last win we had on4GwasConnachtaway.

We’ve won inEdinburgh, we’ve come close atUlster, we’ve come close atCardiff, but we see those experiences as an opportunity to learn,” he said. “We feel we’ve got a strong understanding of how to prepare and play on that surface. We have had wins, probably the biggest one atStade Francais.”

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